MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government continues with the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Syria ahead of the ceasefire deadline set by the Syrian government and United Nations (UN) Special Envoy Kofi Annan, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

 DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the Philippine embassy in Damascus led by Chargé d’Affaires Olivia Palala continues its repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

THE GOVERNMENT has successfully repatriated 15 Filipino workers from Lebanon on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported. The repatriates arrived in Manila on April 9, the DFA said in a statement, adding that all of them illegally entered Lebanon considering the Philippine government banned deployment of workers to the middle eastern country on June 18, 2007. Meanwhile, 22 female overseas Filipino workers from Syria are expected to return to the country today, which would bring the total number of repatriates from Syria to 1,243.

Source:http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&;title=Other-Stories&id=49720

The Philippine government yesterday said it will push through with the evacuation of Filipinos trapped in the raging violence in Syria despite a United Nations-backed April 10 ceasefire calling for a complete withdrawal of government troops and weapons.

A total of 22 female overseas Filipino workers will arrive in Manila in three batches this Wednesday, bringing to 1,243 the number of Filipinos moved to safety since civil strife erupted in the troubled Middle East state. Rebel forces have been demanding Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom they accused of oppression and gross human-rights violations, to step down.